Josephine "JoAnn" Church

JoAnn was born on July 4, 1933 outside of Doran, MN, to Henry and Eunice Neubaurer, she was one of 16 children and attended school in Campbell, MN, through the 8th grade. On May 15, 1951, she was united in marriage to Elmer Franklin Church at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, MN. The couple lived in Campbell until 1955 when they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they lived for 3 years. They then lived in Breckenridge, MN, for a short time before moving to Glyndon, MN where they lived for 24 years. JoAnn spent the last years of her life residing in Fergus Falls, MN, with her second found love and significant other Bob Benhardus.

She is survived by and was a devoted mother to Diane (Harry) Vanmil, Fargo, ND, Lyle (Eunice) Church, Fargo, ND, Merlin (Julie) Church, Moorhead, MN, Connie (Brandon) Anderson, Barnesville, MN, and Tim (Bonnie) Church, Moorhead, MN; a loving grandmother to Chris (Tonya) Vanmil, Rob (Kathy) Vanmil, Katie Viseth, Aaron Reiling (Holly), April (Nathen) Jensen, Cody Church (Keri), Carla (Chris) Barnes, and Teresa Church; and a very proud great grandmother to Sierra Chrissis (Daniel), Kyle Vanmil, Eleanor Viseth, Tristan, Kylie & Easton Reiling, Landon Luhman, Nakoda & Peyton Church, Liam & Josie Barnes, and Silas Nubbe; and great-great grandmother to Easton & Layla Wilson. She is also survived by her significant other, Bob Benhardus; 3 siblings, Henrietta, Henry, & Eunice; and countless number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; and son, Merlin.

JoAnn was a very strong, caring, loving woman who lived every day to the fullest. Her love for her family showed volumes in everything that she did. She was never scared of hard work and proved it up until her late 80s. She enjoyed ceramics, cake decorating, fishing, and dancing to good old country music. She loved cowboy boots, western clothes, anything in the color red, chocolate and ice cream. She took pride in her appearance by always doing her makeup and hair up until the very end. Her number one love was making sure that her family was taken care of. Her laughter will echo in our hearts forever and the love that she made us feel we will take with us to eternity.

Family has requested that family and friends that would like to send flowers please order directly from a florist and have them delivered to the church before the beginning of the service.